Mary told me the other day that people who have our DVA A2D analog to digital converter are incredibly happy with them. This motivated me to say a few words about its origins, explore some of the decisions that went into its design, and answer some relevant questions.

This is an informational post for folks doing power amp work.

Over the past three-plus decades I've spent doing audio engineering, I've accumulated a small collection of dummy loads. For the uninitiated, a dummy load is a high-power resistor used to present a near perfect 8 or 4 or whatever ohm load to a power amp for testing. Something I learned the hard way just now is that they're not all the same.

I'm prompted to write this because of a video by GoldenSound titled Why you can't trust audio measurements I recently watched. The video highlights a number of issues regarding the reliability and applicability of audio specifications and their measurement. In so doing, it presents an opportunity to share some of my thoughts on the subject.

I was gifted a copy of the Keller Quartett's performance of Bach's Die Kunst der Fuge on ECM shortly after it came out in 1998. I gave it a serious spin several times before concluding that it was overly studied and somewhat bland, perhaps bordering on tedious. I filed it away, pulling it out occasionally only to admire the cover artwork.

Last week, while working on some potential circuit refinements (it never ends), I wanted to hear a recording that was relatively fresh. I more or less randomly selected this one and thus discovered that I was wholly and entirely wrong.

In this post, I'd like to discuss a design and marketing practice that's common in the audio industry that I feel ultimately hinders meaningful progress. I call this, "phenomenological audio."

Frank Van Alstine, the founder of this enterprise that we love so dearly, passed away on January 29th at the age of 87.

In my mind, Frank's greatest contributions to audio were his core principles of no b***s*** and honest product value. These provided a refuge for people seeking an alternative to the bewildering and often delusive culture that characterizes much of the high-end consumer audio industry. This is what I foremost want to remember him for.

As for the business he started, I can say with absolute confidence that everyone who works for AVA is committed to the principles he built the company on. In the years that follow, I hope the only difference you'll sense is that it won't be Frank's voice you hear when you call or send us an email. His values are deeply enshrined in this business and will endure.

Frank was a legend. We, like you, will miss him very much.